Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq will deliver a special sermon at the Khanqah of Hazrat Allamdar Kashmir, Sheikh Noor-u-Din Noorani (RA), at Charar-e-Sharief on Friday, October 16, 2026, Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid Srinagar announced in Srinagar on Wednesday.
The Anjuman said the sermon follows tradition and will reflect on the teachings of Sheikh-ul-Alam, in particular faith (Imaan), unity and moral renewal, and the relevance of these teachings to contemporary society. The address will begin at 1:00 pm, and congregational Friday prayers will be offered at 2:30 pm.
Charar-e-Sharief, in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, is among the most revered spiritual centres in the Valley. The shrine of Sheikh Noor-u-Din Noorani, known across Kashmir as Sheikh-ul-Alam and Alamdar-e-Kashmir, draws devotees from every part of Jammu and Kashmir and beyond. The saint, who lived in the fifteenth century, is regarded as the patron saint of the Kashmiri people and the founder of the Rishi order in the region. His verses, composed in the Kashmiri language, are remembered for their emphasis on compassion, humility, tolerance and service to humanity, and they remain part of the cultural and spiritual memory of Kashmiri society.
The shrine has a special place in the collective consciousness of the Valley. It was damaged in a fire in 1995 and was later rebuilt, and it continues to see large gatherings, especially during the annual Urs. A sermon delivered at such a place carries symbolic weight, and the choice of theme, covering faith, unity and moral renewal, is consistent with the message of the saint himself, whose teachings spoke to people of all backgrounds.
The Mirwaiz is the head priest of the Jama Masjid in Srinagar, and his Friday sermons are closely followed across the Valley. The Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid manages the affairs of the historic mosque, and the announcement indicates that this year’s special sermon at Charar-e-Sharief will continue an established practice.
Devotees from Budgam and neighbouring districts are expected to attend the programme. Those planning to travel to the shrine are advised to reach early, given the expected crowds for the Friday congregation. The Anjuman has asked the faithful to take part in the gathering in a spirit of devotion and discipline.
